Implementation of Section 402 of Title IV (HOME Act of 2024) of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act
Published Date: 2/6/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting February 6, 2026, the VA is boosting daily payments to veterans’ care homes from 115% to 133% of the usual state rate, with a chance to go as high as 200% for some providers through 2027. This means more money to help improve veterans’ care, but only up to 12,000 payments per year and depending on available funds. Veterans’ care programs and grant recipients should get ready for these exciting funding changes!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Maximum Per Diem Raised to 133%
The law raises the maximum VA per diem payment for State Home domiciliary care from 115% to 133% of the State Home rate. That change applies beginning on the Act's enactment (January 2, 2025) through September 30, 2027; VA notes it implemented the 133% increase as of October 1, 2025 and the notice is effective February 6, 2026.
Limited Waiver Up To 200% With Application Rules
For fiscal years 2025–2027, VA may waive the maximum per diem and pay up to 200% of the State Home domiciliary care rate for selected Grant and Per Diem (GPD) grantees, but only for no more than 50% of grant recipients each fiscal year and only if funds are available. VA will open an initial 30-day application window, select grantees by a need-impact ranking (difference between requested and current per diem times occupied beds), assume 70% occupancy for new grantees, and may not provide more than 12,000 per diem payments in a fiscal year; VA must notify Congress of any waiver.
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